Berry's nursery donations enhance NSU's campus landscape

TAHLEQUAH - Through the generous support of alumnus and nursery entrepreneur Bob Berry, Northeastern State University is receiving a series of landscaping improvements at its Tahlequah campus.

The Berry family owns Tri-B Nursery in Hulbert, along with Park Hill and Sanders nurseries. The nationwide nursery operation is the largest in the U.S., employing approximately 3,500 people. In 2009, NSU's Alumni Association honored Berry as a Distinguished Alumnus.

Berry holds a long-standing belief that NSU should have the most attractive campus of any state university in Oklahoma.

"In Northeastern Oklahoma, we get more rain than in most parts of the state and there are numerous nurseries in the area," he said. "All these nurseries have the resources to enhance the landscaping of the campus. Because the campus has satisfactory planning and a maintenance department that can conserve the donations, we can help Northeastern with that."

Berry saw opportunities to upgrade the campus flora during his visit to NSU during Homecoming 2009.

"We're doing this because we want to see Northeastern's campus sparkle and shine," he said. "I was on another Oklahoma university campus recently and it had great facilities and plenty for the students to do, but the landscaping was really quite horrendous. Northeastern is in the process of building renovations and campus improvements, and that motivates me to try to help out."

The contributions were initiated in the Fall 2009 term when a donation of trees, flowers and shrubbery from Tri-B Nursery created an attractive entrance to the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry building. The Berrys provided plants and manpower to landscape the optometry grounds.

"That was the start of things," said Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services. "Mr. Berry is now assisting us with landscaping efforts around Seminary Hall and plans to continue to support beautification in the coming years."

Joe Spence, physical plant director, said 15 portions of campus are emphasized as planting areas and that work is under way on 10.

"Mr. Berry has provided funds for the work to begin around Seminary Hall," said Spence. "This money will provide funds for irrigation and flower bed preparation."

Other areas enhanced or to be improved by Berry's donations include Valley Avenue, Be the Change Fountain, Administration Building, University Center, Leoser Complex, John Vaughan Library, Wilson Hall, Bagley Hall and the President's Home.

Berry's donations of 52 trees and 459 plants to date total $5,711.95. The figure does not include labor, the addition of irrigation systems and further contributions of flora.

"Over the next two or three years, his generosity toward the university will not only take care of our immediate needs, but sustain the beautification in perpetuity," said Johnson.